Lawn Sign and Attachment Kit for Attaching Sign

This application is based on and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/676,506, filed Jul. 29, 2024, and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/889,676, filed Aug. 17, 2022, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference, as if expressly set forth in its respective entirety herein.

The present application relates to lawn signs and more particularly to an attachment kit for attaching a lawn sign to a lawn sign frame.

Lawn signs are used in many different settings and for different purposes. In general, a lawn sign holds a sign and is configured to be implanted into the ground (the yard). Some uses of a lawn sign are to celebrate a birthday or graduation or display an allegiance to a sport's team. In addition, lawn signs are heavily used in political campaigns. In particular, lawn signs are often also placed near polling places on election day. Signs come in various shapes and sizes but are most often rectangular and between 12 and 40 inches on each side. They are usually produced in packages that include lawn sign wires since most of these lawn signs need to be placed on a grass or dirt surface.

A lawn sign attachment kit for attaching a sign to a sign frame. The kit includes a pair of connectors. Each connector has a flexible first leg, a flexible second leg and a corner at which the first leg and second leg intersect. The first leg has a first hole formed therein and the second leg has a second hole formed therein. The corner includes a coupling post that extends outwardly from the body and is configured: (1) such the flexible first leg can be folded over and the coupling post is received within the first hole to establish a snap-fit between the coupling post and the flexible first leg and define a first looped structure; and (2) such that the flexible second leg can be folded over and the coupling post is received within the second hole to establish a snap-fit between the coupling post and flexible second leg and define a second looped structure.

100 100 110 120 200 110 120 The figures illustrate one exemplary lawn (yard) sign, The lawn signgenerally is formed of a sign (substrate); a sign frameand a pair of connectorsfor attaching the signto the sign frame.

110 110 110 116 118 110 112 110 112 110 110 111 113 115 117 The signcan be formed from any number of different materials that are suitable for the intended application. In one embodiment, the signis formed of a foldable material and more particularly, is formed of a material that can be folded on top of itself. The signcan have a rectangular shape with a first halfand a second half. The signis of a type that can be folded in half to define a folded top section(in its folded state) and a pair of free edges that represent the two ends of the unfolded sign. The folded top sectionrepresents the middle section of the sign in its unfolded, flat state, Typically, the signhas a parallelogram shape. The signhas a first corner, a second corner, a third corner, and a fourth corner.

110 In one embodiment, the signis formed of a fabric material (e.g., canvas) that withstand the elements (outdoor environment).

120 130 140 130 140 120 150 160 170 150 160 170 130 140 150 160 170 130 140 The sign framecan have any number of different shapes and sizes. One common type of lawn sign frame is an “H-frame”. This type of frame is defined by a left frame member or left rail or left tineand a right frame member or right rail or right tine. One or more crossbars are located between the left tineand right tineand more particularly, the illustrated sign framecontains a first (top) crossbar, a second (middle) crossbarand a third (bottom) crossbar. The crossbars,,adds strength and makes the entire frame one single unit. The left tineand the right tineare parallel to one another and the three crossbars,,are parallel to one another and are oriented perpendicular to the left tineand the right tine.

170 It will be appreciated that the third crossbarcan be eliminated.

120 The sign framecan be formed of many different materials, such as metals or plastics. The various parts of the frame are attached using traditional techniques, such as welding, etc.

200 110 120 200 110 120 110 150 112 150 110 160 150 160 110 110 110 As shown in the figures, each connectoris configured to attach the signto the sign frame. An attachment kit can be provided and incudes two connectors. The attachment kit is designed to attach the signin its folded state to the sign frame. In particular, the signis intended to be folded over the first crossbarsuch that the folded top sectionis draped over the first crossbarand the two free edges (ends) of the signare positioned near the second crossbar. The distance between the first crossbarand the second crossbaris thus generally the size of one half of the signwhich can also be considered to be one side face of the sign. The signis typically configured such that in the folded state, the two side faces that face in opposite directions contain graphic matter.

110 110 111 113 115 117 The signwith its two free edges which represent a top edge and a bottom edge in the unfolded state. The signhas a first corner, a second corner, a third cornerand a fourth corner.

200 110 200 110 200 200 200 One connectoris used on one side of the sign frameand another connectoris used on the other side of the sign frame. For example, the one connectorcan be considered to be a left connector and the other connectorcan be considered to be a right connector.

200 111 115 200 113 117 The one connectoris used to attach the first cornerto the third cornerand the other connectoris used to attach the second cornerto the fourth corneras described below.

200 220 230 240 200 220 230 240 220 230 200 202 204 202 204 200 220 230 200 Each connectoris defined by a first leg (first end portion), an opposing second leg (end portion)and an intermediate portion. As shown in the figures, the connectoris generally L-shaped and therefore, the first and second legs,are formed at a 90 degree with the intermediate portionbeing where the two legs,join one another. The connectorhas a first faceand an opposite second face. The first facehas raised features as described herein, while the second faceis a flat surface. As described herein, the body of the connectoris flexible and therefore, each of the first legand the second legcan fold over on top of itself. For example, the body of the connectorcan be formed of a plastic material.

200 250 202 240 250 202 200 200 250 250 251 251 250 252 254 256 252 254 256 254 256 254 2 3 FIGS.and As described in more detail herein, the connectorhas a coupling postthat protrudes outwardly from the first faceand is located within the intermediate portion. The coupling postis formed perpendicular to the first faceand is located in the corner of the connectorand can be integrally formed with the body of the connector. The profile of the coupling postis best shown in. The coupling postcan be a hollow structure and thus, has a center hole. As described herein, the center holecan be a threaded hole. The coupling posthas a curved or sloped top portionand a wider center portionand a bottom undercut portion. The top portionthus slopes outward to the wider center portionand the bottom undercut portionis below the wider center portion. The bottom undercut portionhas a width (diameter) less than the wider center portion.

220 260 230 262 260 220 262 230 The first leghas a first opening (first hole)formed therein and similarly, the second leghas a second opening (second hole)formed therein. The first openingis proximate to and close to the free end of the first legand similarly, the second openingis proximate to and close to the free end of the second leg.

260 262 260 262 The first and second openings,can have any number of different shapes so long as they function in the manner described herein and are complementary to the coupling feature described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first and second openings,is three sided and thus, is generally triangular shape. However, it will be appreciated that other shapes are possible for the openings including circular shaped, shapes with two to four sides and irregular shapes.

260 262 250 260 262 250 250 250 260 262 252 250 260 262 200 250 254 254 250 256 256 254 256 200 250 200 Each of the first and second openings,is specifically designed to provide a snap-fit with the coupling postand therefore, the opening of each of the first and second openings,that receives the coupling postis undersized relative to the width (diameter) of the coupling post. The profile of the coupling postis intentionally designed in view of the size and shape of each of the first and second openings,. More specifically, the outwardly sloped top portionof the coupling postwhen received within one of the first and second openings,serves to expand the opening by locally deforming the edges of the connectoraround the opening. As the coupling postis further advanced into the opening and the wider center portionencounters the edges of the connector, further expansion and deformation of the edges results in order to allow the wider center portionto pass through the opening. Further advancement of the coupling postwithin the opening results in the bottom undercut portionencountering the edges and since the bottom undercut portionhas a width less than the wider center portion, the deformation of the edges reverses and the body of the connector, including these edges flex back and enter into the bottom undercut portion. This action results in a snap-fit (interference fit) between the body of the connectorand the coupling post, when the connectoris folded in the manner described herein.

The method of assembly the lawn sign consists of the following steps.

110 150 112 150 114 110 160 111 115 113 117 111 113 115 117 110 4 FIG. First, the signis folded over the first crossbarsuch that the folded top sectionis draped over the first crossbarand the two free edgesof the signare positioned near the second crossbar. In this position, the first cornerand the third corneroverlap and the second cornerand the fourth corneroverlap. As shown in the figures, each of the first corner, second corner, third cornerand fourth cornerincludes an opening. When the signis folded in half, the openings in the first and third corners overlap and the openings in the second and fourth corners overlap.shows this step.

4 FIG. 4 FIG. 4 FIG. 200 200 113 117 200 220 140 230 160 200 200 150 113 117 150 150 shows the next step of positioning one connectorrelative to one corner of the folded sign. For example.show the connectorrelative to bottom right corner where the second cornerand the fourth corneroverlap. The connectoris positioned such that the first legfaces to the right and extends across and outside of the second tineand the second legfaces downward across and below the second crossbar. The connectoris positioned along one face of the folded sign. For example, in, the connectoris positioned along the rear face of the folded sign. The coupling postis inserted through the openings formed in the second cornerand the fourth corner. The openings in the two corners are circular and complement the circular shape of the coupling post. The height of the coupling postis such that the coupling post completely passes through the folded sign.

220 230 150 230 220 230 160 160 230 150 262 230 150 230 256 110 160 5 FIG. 5 FIG. Next one of the first and second legs,is folded over and engages the coupling post. In, the second legis first folded; however, it will be appreciated that instead, the first legcan be first folded. In, the second legis folded upright and is folded about the second crossbar, thereby capturing the second crossbar. The second legis folded such that the coupling postis inserted into the second opening. As described herein, a snap-fit results between the second legand the coupling post. In the snap-fit position, the edges of the second legare secured within the bottom undercut portion. The result is that the bottom right corner of the signis secured to the second crossbar.

220 230 150 220 220 140 140 220 150 260 220 230 220 150 220 256 110 140 220 230 6 FIG. Next, the other of the first and second legs,is folded over and engages the coupling post. In, the first legis next folded. The first legis folded to the left and is folded over and about the second tine, thereby capturing the second tine. The first legis folded such that the coupling postis inserted into the first opening, with the first legbeing positioned over the folded second leg. As described herein, a snap-fit results between the first legand the coupling post. In the snap-fit position, the edges of the first legare secured within the bottom undercut portion. The result is that the bottom right corner of the signis secured to the second tine, with the first legdisposed over the second leg,

6 FIG. shows the connector in its fully attached state.

110 120 When assembled, the signis under tension and is securely attached to and supported by the sign frame.

9 FIG. 300 150 300 310 151 150 300 151 300 320 150 320 150 Now turning to, it will be appreciated that an optional capcan be provided for finishing off the coupling postand also for adding additional securement of the sign. For example, the capcan have a threaded shaftthat is configured to threadingly engage inner threads formed in the center holeof the coupling post. The capis thus screwed into the hole. The capcan have an enlarge headthat sits on and closes off the free end of the coupling post, thereby providing a finished look. In addition, the headserves to prevent the dislodgement of the folded sign from the coupling post.

It is to be understood that like numerals in the drawings represent like elements through the several figures, and that not all components and/or steps described and illustrated with reference to the figures are required for all embodiments or arrangements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes can be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.